If you are injured on the job, it is important to know your rights concerning workers’ compensation. Pasadena workers’ compensation law may require that your employer pays for medical expenses, lost income, and other expenses resulting from your workplace injury.

A Pasadena workers’ compensation lawyer can help you with this process by writing and filing your claim, working with medical professionals and your employer to advocate on your behalf, and potentially appearing at hearings in front of a workers’ compensation court. Contact an accomplished attorney today to schedule a consultation.

Medical Treatment

Even a small injury can be expensive. A workplace injury may require diagnostic tests such as X-Rays and MRI scans, and treatment could potentially involve surgery and physical therapy. Regardless of potential costs, however, there is no reason to put personal health at greater risk by avoiding medical attention, and anyone injured on the job should seek medical treatment right away.

If a worker is unsure whether their expenses will be covered by workers’ compensation, they should use their own insurance for the time being. The injured party, their insurance company, and even the doctor or hospital may seek reimbursement from the employer after administering treatment. If necessary, a Pasadena workers’ compensation attorney can also work to pursue reimbursement for medical expenses on behalf of an injured worker.

Workers’ Compensation and Disability Payments

Recovery from a workplace accident may take days, months, or even years depending on the severity of the injury. In many cases, workers are entitled to disability benefits during this recovery period.

If a worker cannot work at all, they may be entitled to temporary total disability payments. If they can return to work in only a limited capacity, they may be entitled to temporary partial disability payments. Each type of payment has various qualifying attributes and details that an experienced workers’ comp attorney can explain in further detail.

Permanent Disability

When a doctor determines an injury is no longer improving but has not worsened, it is considered to be permanent and stationary. While this does mean all temporary disability payments will be stopped, a person with a permanent and stationary injury may still be eligible for permanent disability.

In order to receive permanent disability payments, a physician must write the employee a permanent disability report detailing the specifics of the injured worker’s disability. This may include catastrophic injuries. A permanent disability report can greatly affect the type of benefits a worker receives, and a Pasadena workers’ compensation attorney can advocate for an injured employee to ensure their report allows for the compensation and benefits they need.

Returning to Work After an Injury

If an injured worker can return to work after an accident, they may have trouble in the short or long term performing the same or similar job tasks as they could prior to their injury. If this is the case, the employer typically must make reasonable accommodations or train them for a different job. In most circumstances, it is illegal in Pasadena for an employee to terminate employment due to an injury.

Accommodations for injured employees are usually recommended by a physician and may include limitations on how much a worker can be required to lift on the job or a requirement to provide special equipment to help the worker perform their job. Employers are obligated by law to follow these recommendations so long as they are reasonable.

Contact a Pasadena Workers’ Compensation Attorney Today

A Pasadena workers’ compensation attorney can help you through every step of your workers’ compensation claim, allowing you to focus your energy on recovery. A skilled attorney can talk to witnesses of an accident, facilitate communication between your employer and physician, and advocate on your behalf.

If you are injured on the job, speak with a Pasadena workers’ compensation lawyer as soon as possible to get your claim started and begin working to pursue the benefits that you deserve.